What happened in Vegas with Pop has stayed with Terry

Terry told the Dallas Morning News he didn’t like a chance meeting this summer with Popovich in Las Vegas — particularly after the Spurs’ six-game series victory over the higher-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.

“It was the Spurs, our rival,” Terry told the Morning News about the upset loss. “And then I see Pop in Vegas. We talked a little and that was definitely part of the conversation, them beating us after we got them (the previous year).”

Popovich’s words apparently have burned with Terry all summer, only adding to his disappointment about the Mavs’ unexpectedly short playoff run.

“It’s eating at me now,” Terry said. “And until we get to the playoffs next spring and win a series and get to the conference Finals and Finals, it’s still going to eat at me.”

Terry’s disappointment will only make one of the NBA’s best rivalries that much better.

The Spurs and Mavericks meet for the first time this season on Nov. 26 at the SBC Center. I can hardly wait.